Prompt from Tara Misra (More Codywan please!) and anesor & CacTusLoVer27 (Sequel to Chapter 67)

This is a combination of these prompts, with Attack of the Clones happened much sooner.

…..

The knighting ceremony was a rushed celebration.

With the introduction of the clone army and the threat of war now hanging over their heads, they needed all the Knights and Master they could get.

After the events on Geonosis, it had been decided that Obi-Wan was ready. With a heavy heart, Qui-Gon watched as his ex-padawan's braid was cut by Mace, the pair of them smiling at each as they recited the vows necessary to complete the process.

"Rise, Knight Kenobi!" Windu finished the ceremony, before pulling his old padawan into a hug, chuckling warmly as the young man eagerly returned the hug.

A slight tugging on his sleeve, prompted Qui-Gon to glance down, a teenage Anakin staring back up at him. "When do I get to go through this?"

"… Not too long. You're already top of your classes after all."

It would be an honour to be the Master of the youngest Knight in the Order.

Now that the ceremony was over, the others present all crowded around Obi-Wan, all offering up their own congratulations and well-wishes. Obi-Wan's classmates teased him about the embarrassed flush on his face.

Qui-Gon knew he should go over and say something… but what could he really say.

Silently, he placed a hand on Anakin's shoulders, and together, they left the hall, both missing the disappointed look aimed at their backs.

It would be another week before Qui-Gon saw Obi-Wan again, this time without the presence of Anakin.

The young padawan was in his lessons when Qui-Gon got a command to head over to the clone barracks in order to meet his new squadron.

It was a fairly dull experience and he was glad when he was allowed to leave. On the way out, he frowned as he spotted a familiar figure in the distance, walking away from him.

Before he could even think about calling out for Obi-Wan, the new Knight was joined by a clone, one with a large scar on his face. Darting into the shadows, Qui-Gon couldn't help but watch the interaction in amazement.

CC-2224 didn't share his brother's beliefs about how they should have unique names, one that make them identifiable… set apart from all other clones.

Or at least… he never used to mind.

After hearing it from Knight Kenobi's voice, there came an irrational hatred of it… how it made him feel like just part of a crowd.

He didn't feel special in Knight Kenobi's eyes, and for some reason, that bothered him immensely.

He didn't push the matter however and took what he could get. Which was why, when he spotted Knight Kenobi at the Clone Base, he couldn't help but make his way over. When Kenobi spotted him, his entire face seemed to light up, and he beamed at the clone.

"Commander!" he greeted, "Congratulations on the promotion!"

CC-2224 bowed his head in acknowledgement, staying silent even as Kenobi gestured for him to take a seat on a nearby stone bench.

"So, what can I do for you Commander?"

CC-2224 just shrugged, throat closing up.

"There is something I've been meaning to ask you actually Commander…" Kenobi didn't seem to notice the empty silence, "I know that Captain Rex appears to have shed his clone name, and prefers to be called Rex… did you have a different name in mind?"

CC-2224 tensed, keeping head bowed.

"I see…" Kenobi broke the awkward silence, "… well, how about I give you one?"

"I-I- "

"CC…. how about Cody?"

CC-2224… Cody, hesitated "Cody…" he whispered, "… I-I like that."

"Good!" Kenobi beamed at him, "Maybe we should talk some more… over dinner?"

….

Qui-Gon couldn't believe what he was seeing. To any other observer, it might have seemed perfectly innocent. Just a new Knight wanting to speak to a clone, probably to discuss battle tactics or other such things.

But he knew his ex-padawan… better than the council ever thought he did. He'd seen these behaviours so often during those early missions.

Obi-Wan liked this clone… liked liked.

Ignoring how the sentence sounded childish in his head, Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan led the Commander away, before stepping back into the main corridor.

Well now, that was interesting.

The next time Qui-Gon saw Obi-Wan, the younger man was looking happier than his old master had ever really seen him before, striding down the corridor with confidence as he greeted young padawans and initiates.

It was clear that Obi-Wan was a top pick for one lucky initiate someday, and the younglings all knew it.

As Obi-Wan passed the classroom that Qui-Gon was waiting in, he gasped as his old master suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him inside.

"Master Jinn, what are you- "

"- I saw you and that clone."

Alright… maybe he could have put that a different way. Especially as Obi-Wan's face paled and his eyes widened in alarm.

"No, no, no, no!" Qui-Gon quickly spoke up, "I didn't mean anything bad by it, I was just- " He stopped and took a deep breath, "- Mace usually frowns on personal relationships. What were you- "

"- Master Windu wasn't my first master."

Qui-Gon found himself stunned in silence, as Obi-Wan shuffled nervously from side to side, before continuing, "I know we had our ups and downs… but you taught me that personal attachments, emotions like love aren't to be feared. So long as you don't let them control you."

At the tense tone, Qui-Gon opened his mouth to protest, believing that Obi-Wan was criticising him for his attachment almost fall from the light after Tahl's death, only for Obi-Wan to hold up his hand.

"Stop…. We both made mistakes when it came to attachment, but I've seen the good in it. So long as I remain in control and don't let it consume me, then everything will be alright."

"And if Mace finds out?"

Obi-Wan shrugged, "I will cross that bridge when I come to it."

The blasé attitude and the little shrug reminded Qui-Gon so much of himself, stunning him into silence once again.

"Master…" Obi-Wan reached out and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, "…I know that it didn't exactly end well for us, but I never wanted to exclude you from my life."

"I've just been- "he cut himself off… he'd been busy with Anakin, but that probably wasn't the best thing to say. Judging by the look on Obi-Wan's face, he knew what his old master was going to say

"Maybe we should have a meal together sometime?" Obi-Wan sighed, "Just the two of us?"

"That would be… fine." He took a deep breath, "In fact, that would be perfect."